Motorists at risk of car accidents involving deer and elk in winter

I often travel Interstate 90 between Seattle and Ellensburg to visit my son at college. The other night, a highway patrol stopped me and told me that my headlamp had burned out. He cautioned me to be careful and get the headlamp replaced as soon as possible because he is frequently called to auto accident scenes involving deer and elk on I-90 between Seattle and Ellensburg.

During the winter months, deer are a common hazard on highways. Accidents involving deer are three and a half times more likely in November compared with August according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).

Deer and elk on the highway resulting in vehicle accidents pose a risk to motorists and motorcyclists. In Washington state, deer seasons are (Nov. 1-25), wintering (Dec. 16 – Mar. 1), fawning (May 25 – Jun. 10), fall migration (Oct 10 – 30), and spring migration (Apr. 15 – May 24). According the Washington State Patrol, there are more than 110 wildlife/vehicle collisions every year resulting in an average of 1190 injuries to humans and two deaths.

In Western Washington, deer and elk/vehicle collisions are more likely to occur on the west side of the Cascades. On Interstate 90, they are more likely to occur near North Bend. Other problems areas are Whidbey Island along State Route 20 and State Route 525.

For your safety, make sure your headlamps are in working order and drive cautiously, especially at dusk and dawn.
This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents and the family of those killed.